ODOT is investigating the feasibility of installing an eastbound right turn lane from U.S. 30 onto Thayer Road as well as other alternatives to make the intersection safer.

Signage enhancements at the Thayer Road and U.S. 30 intersection northeast of Lima in Allen County will be made this week to provide additional information to motorists.

Officials with the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) District 1, the Ohio State Highway Patrol, and the Allen County Engineer’s office met yesterday to discuss a recent trend of serious accidents at the intersection.

“We reviewed an accident which occurred in January, and two which occurred within the last month – all involved motorists who were not from the area and likely didn’t have familiarity with the roads they were traveling,” said Chris Hughes, deputy director for ODOT District 1.

One accident involved a vehicle traveling eastbound on U.S. 30 that failed to stop for a truck turning south onto Thayer Road. The two most recent accidents involved out-of-town motorists traveling north on Thayer Road who stopped at U.S. 30 before proceeding, but were then struck by an eastbound vehicle.

This week, ODOT plans to install advanced message boards indicating to motorists heading eastbound on U.S. 30 to “Watch for Slow Traffic” prior to the Thayer Road intersection. In addition, dual “Cross Traffic Does Not Stop” warning signs will be placed in the median for northbound traffic on Thayer Road approaching U.S. 30.

“These are some immediate enhancements we can make ahead of more involved upgrades in the future,” said Hughes.

“We are investigating the feasibility of installing an eastbound right turn lane from U.S. 30 onto Thayer Road as well as other alternatives to make the intersection safer,” he said.

ODOT officials noted the intersection is more heavily traveled than some other at-grade intersections along U.S. 30 and is used as a connector between state Route 117 and U.S. 30.

The intersection does experience a high volume of eastbound to southbound right turns as well as northbound to westbound left turns.

Hughes said ODOT will continue discussions with the Allen County Engineer’s office and other local officials regarding the long-term use of the Thayer Road corridor between state Route 117 and U.S. 30,” he said.

ODOT officials noted the intersection is more heavily traveled than some other at-grade intersections along U.S. 30 and is used as a connector between state Route 117 and U.S. 30.